Speculation deepens over Biren Singh's fate as 25 NDA MLAs skip meeting called after NPP's withdrawal of support

Guwahati: A meeting of NDA MLAs called by Manipur CM N Biren Singh on Monday evening brought fissures within the alliance out in the open as at least 25 MLAs, 14 belonging to BJP, skipped it.

The NDA has 49 MLAs in the House of 60 while Congress has five, two belong to Kuki People's Alliance (KPA), one Janata Dal (United) and three Independents. The NDA's tally, however, reduced on Sunday when National People's Party (NPP), a key ally with seven legislators, withdrew support stating that Biren Singh government "completely failed" to resolve the crisis since May last year.

The meeting that continued for over three hours, was called after the NPP's withdrawal of support on Sunday. Hours before the meeting, NPP Chief and Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma said his party may consider restoring the support if Biren Singh is replaced.

A note shared by some MLAs after the meeting said that 11 MLAs including seven belonging to BJP remained absent without citing any reason. It, however, did not mention about the 10 Kuki-Zo MLAs (seven BJP), who have maintained a distance from the Biren Singh government since violence erupted last year. The Kuki-Zo MLAs skipped the meeting. The note said two Janta Dal (United) MLAs, one belonging to NPP and one Independent also skipped the meeting without citing any reason. A pro-Biren MLA said 27 MLAs including the CM attended the meeting while six skipped it citing medical reasons.

But another leader said only 24 MLAs that included only 14 belonging to BJP and five Naga People's Front, attended it. A close aide of Biren and a cabinet minister, Y Khemchand was among the BJP legislators who skipped the meeting.

Track latest updates of the Manipur crisis here

Resolutions in the meeting:

As the anger among the Meiteis grew over the killing of six women and children allegedly by the Kuki insurgents, the meeting took eight resolutions, most of which was endorsement of the demands by the Meiteis. This included:

*Review of the imposition of AFSPA in areas under six police stations as per the order of the MHA on November 14

*An operation against the Kuki militants responsible for the killing of six women and children in Jiribam within seven days

*Immediate handing over of the cases related to killing of the six, and two women belonging to Hmar and Meitei community, respectively, on November 7 and 8, to the NIA.

*Declare the Kuki-Zo organisations responsible for killing the six persons as unlawful organisations within seven days.

"If the resolutions are not implemented within the specified period, all the NDA legislators will decide the future course of action in consultation with the people of the state," said the resolution.

The meeting also condemned the attacks on Ministers and MLAs by "certain persons" in the Valley and decided to take legal action.

After the meeting Biren posted on X, "Chaired a crucial meeting with ruling MLAs today where we strongly condemned the recent killing of innocents in Jiribam. Rest assured, justice will be ensured and firm action will be taken up against the perpetrators. Key decisions on AFSPA and strengthening law & order were also taken to ensure peace and stability in the state."